"As an alum of CLA France 2019, I was determined to return to CLA for more training and inspiration in 2021. I'm very grateful for the support of the CLA Community Named Program Grant, which made it possible for me to participate in another CLA summer program.“ – Wesley Diener.
CLA Alumni, Marianna Vartikyan, Laura Soto-Boyomi, Sofia Durante, and Sofia Gotch
Spring is an exciting time for CLA, as our team and artists gear up for the start of the 2026 summer programs. This year, we are appealing to our generous group of supporters to join together again and help an emerging young artist benefit from the transformative experience of a CLA program. The Classic Lyric Arts Community Named Program Grant is a grant crowd-funded by our community of generous supporters. Whether you are a new friend or a longtime investor, simply fill out our Partial Named Program Grant form with the title of “CLA Community Named Program Grant.” Contributions of all sizes are impactful.
The Community Named Program Grant is just one type of grant in our Named Program Grant Initiative. In 2025 alone, Classic Lyric Arts awarded $184,000 in Named Program Grants, funding emerging artists across our programs. We offer options for full sponsorship of an artist, as well as multiple tiers of partial sponsorship. These grants go directly to the artists themselves, allowing them to receive artistic training at CLA with less or no financial burden on their shoulders.
CLA Alumni, Giancarlo Llerena and Sianna Monti during a performance at CLA France 2025
Establishing a Named Program Grant, as a multitude of our supporters have done, is a meaningful and straightforward way to make a lasting impact on an artist’s life. Simply visit the Sponsor an Artist page on the CLA website to complete a short form and choose whether you would like to fund a full or partial Named Program Grant.
In 2021, the CLA Community Named Program Grant sponsored three artists to attend the CLA programs. Baritone Wesley Diener was one such recipient, attending CLA France (held in upstate New York due to the pandemic that year). Wesley has performed across the United States and internationally with companies such as Teatro Nuovo, Charlottesville Opera, and the Shakespeare Opera Theatre. He has also performed several sold-out solo concerts as a cabaret performer in Washington, D.C. Off the stage, Wesley is a leading voice instructor for professional singers through his business WD Studio, is a voice and communication coach for business professionals – and is our very own CLA Director of Operations! He shared with us how his CLA Community Named Program Grant affected his artist journey:
"As an alum of CLA France 2019, I was determined to return to CLA for more training and inspiration in 2021. I'm very grateful for the support of the CLA Community Named Program Grant, which made it possible for me to participate in another CLA summer program. My time at CLA that summer reinvigorated my passion for performing and offered me countless skills that I am applying to my work both as a performer and as a voice teacher. Thank you, again, for your generosity and commitment to CLA. It has greatly impacted my journey as a singer, teacher, and individual." – Wesley Diener.
CLA artists feel deeply grateful and encouraged by our donors’ inspiring generosity, and we eagerly anticipate another summer of advancing the careers of emerging classical singers and pianists. The enduring support of our community makes it possible for CLA to empower a new generation of artists to realize their potential, awaken their artistry, and enrich our world – regardless of financial capacity.